Saturday, April 28, 2012

Somaliland: Democracy, Civility and Leadership in recent events

- Another event that put the light on the presidency of Ahmed Silanyo. This is the event were a respected politician Abdirahman Abdul Kader was not only publicly humiliated, but also savagely attacked by the Hargaisa Police. Our brother is in London and being treated from the police savage beating. This was a sad day for a country that is pursuing recognition from the international community and claiming it’s adherence to the Democratic principles of peace and human rights as its cornerstone. I do not know the meaning of Democracy in light of the many events and incidents that occurred during this President last 2 year administration. From arrests and incarceration of reporters, police brutality, politicians arrest without clear and explicit expression/statement for the crime, and several other undemocratic actions this administration was involved in.

As we know, one of the most important tenants of Democracy is freedom of speech, especially afforded to the media reporters, Individual right, and more importantly individuals are innocent until proven guilty, etc. These events had shown the office of the Somaliland President inability to deal with this fast moving technology driven by a younger, more educated population than the President generation. In all these events I expected the President to take a leadership role to address, resolve and/or explain, but he was no show and mum. Politicians, like the President, from the 1960s (20th century) had a very limited strategies in their political tool box. Actually, except for very few, their main strategy to hold power were and are to divide and rule, and intimidation.

The recent arrests of politicians, arrest and jailing of reporters without any proof of guilt, Abdulrahman Abdul Kadir humiliation and beating is pure intimidation taken from the old school. Another tool of divide and rule this president continuously uses is the unending reshuffling of Ministers in his cabinet. Every one knows these continuous changes are to create loyalty from different groups, and crush the opposition through these appointments. These continuous change and new appointees to important positions is creating a negative outcome to our country. Basic administrative management principles tells us that experience and length of an employee in a position, creates know how and incremental improvements in the process of the job. So, when we have so many changes, where is the inherited knowledge and know how that will help our country to move forward and advance. So, for these misguided strategies, the President is actually unknowingly harming the interest of our beloved Somaliland.

The President, coming from the mid 20the century, need help in understanding how to manage in this fast based, globally connected with a majority population of a younger educated Somalilanders in the 21st century. The President instead of using the outdated 20th century strategies in his limited tool box, he should be engaged, visionary, forward thinking with modern leadership skills. The old politicians of yesteryears thought and acted like kings and managed as dictators and autocrats. According to our constitution, Somaliland is a democratic country, the President was elected by the people, and he is there to serve the people. The President to be successful during the remainder of his tenure should act and think as the leader of a young nation that yearn desperately for a President that is visionary, engaging, and a good steward of the dignity of its people and the position elected to.

Kulmiye Party was also a major part of this ugly incident that involved Abdirahman Abdul kader. Kulmiye Party executives treatment of this respected politician was ugly, barbaric and lacking civility that our country and its people need to emulate. In my opinion, this is the tipping point for Kulmiye Party downward spiral. This party leadership goal of protecting President Silanyo from opposition by any means has rendered it as a narrow minded and marching to an ugly road of exclusivity. This act is so shameful that all decent people with civility and human respect should make their feet, money and intellect do the walking out of Kulmiye Party.